Swivel



J. A. WRAY May 27, 1930.

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SWIVEL Filed Deo. 22, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 a f/A 1% i 9 ff `INVENTOR. [um ,7a/we; A. Wray BY WMMZYMQ ATToRNEY Patented May 27, l 1930 UNITED STATES JAMES A. WRA'Y, oF Los ANGEL-Es,l CALIFORNIA SWIVEL Application iled December 22, 1928. Serial No. 328,043.

This invention relates to a swivel used to support hollow drill stems employed in hydraulic rotary drilling of wells'and serving as a couplin to the source of supply of circulation lui In such devices, a heavy load must be supported and a leak tight fit maintained between the rotating tubular member and the stationary tubular member to insure freedom of rotation, it is advantageous t'o employ anti-friction bearings. Roller bearings have been found to best serve the purpose because of their strength. However, a single group of roller bearings is hardly suficiently `strong to bear the thrust exerted on them; they wear unduly and frequently crush. Replacement of the swivel must then be eected with resultant loss in time and increase in labor. Circulation must be 2o an the stoppage of circulation is often attended by sticking commonly termed freezing of tools, pi es, casing and other parts due to settling o cuttings.

The objects of this invention are: rst, to

provide a swivel having a multiplicity of groups of rollers so disposed as todistributel the load between groups; second, to provide an encased system of races and rollers so that they may travel in a bath of lubricant; and third, to rovide means for adjusting the races and pac in glands with a minimum of manipulation. n addition to the broader objects of this invention there 'are certain details of design contributing to simplicity, com actness, strength and durability.

T ese objects together with other objects and corresponding accomplishments vare obtained by means of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fi' 1 is a vertical section through a swivel; ig. 2 is an elevation of a rotary table; drill stem and swivel in assembled relation; and Figs. 3' and 4 are sections as seen on the lines correspondingly numbered in Fig.. 1.

Referring more particularly to Fi 2, A indicates enerally a -rotary table t rough which a drlll drive stem B asses. The drive stem and parts dependingt erefrom are sup- 60 ported by a swivel indicated generally by C,

stopped while replacement is accomplished,

` free of tubular the swivel being suspended from a hook D.

The swivel comprises a tubular member 5 threaded at the upper end and intermediate the ends. A goose neck 6 is secured to the tubular member 5. Threadedon the tubular member 5 vis a collar 7 having ears 8 with apertureslfor bails 9. These bails serve for suspending the swivel upon hook D. The goose neck 6 is adapted `to be connected to a hose leadin 4from a source of supply of 00 clrculation fluid such as a mud pump.

Threadedupon the tube 5 are disks 10, three being Shown herein and forming races for rollers. The rooves for the'rollers are indicated by 11. bviously, the races 10 may be adjusted longitudinallyof the tube 5. The drive stem B is secured to a tubular member 12 `and is of such internal diameter as to slid ingly receive the tubular member 5. A packj ing recess is formed in member 12 and iilled` 70 w1 h packing 13 held in position by a gland 1 4. It will be noted that packing 13is -relae tlvely lon so that fluid would be compelled to travel4 or a considerable distance in order to pass around the packing. The tubular member 12 is externally threaded and mounted thereon is a head 15 having peripherally spaced holes to:- receive rods 1.6. The rods are secured to the head by nuts 17 so as to be adjustable. lDisposed about the tubular member 5 and free thereof are races 18 havlng grooves to cooperate with the grooves 1n races 10. Each ofthe races 18 has ears with openings for the passage therethroughvof the rods 16. Spacing'sleeves 19 are mounted upon the rods and intermediate the adjacentraces 18. Mounted in the race ways between pairs'of races are tapered roll-` ers 20 and dlsk cages 21 serve to separate the rollers.l

It will be noted that the load suspended from the tubular member 12-is transmitted to tubular member 5 by meansl of three sets of roller bearings, thereb distributing the load. In order to lubricate t e bearing, I have provided a casing comprising heads 22 and 23 and a cylindrical wall 24. Head 22 is secured to tubular member 5 and head 23 is rotatably member 12. Member 12 has` a boss 25 provided with packing recess in which is disposed a packing 26. A gland 27 holds the packing in place. A stutling box is thus formed to prevent leakage of lubricant from the casing. In the head 22 is afiller opening closed by a plug 28 and in the head 23 is a drain opening closed by a lug 29. ICirculationluid is introduced into t e tubular members under a high pressure. The long packing 13 will effectively prevent leakage of the circulation fluid into the chamber within the casing. However, should any fluid leak, it will pass into the casing and would still yhave to be orcedthrough the packing 26 so that a double seal' is formed.

It is obvious that the structure has freedom of rotary movement because of the rollp er bearings and the lubricant. Furthermore the thrust is distributed between several sets of rollerbearings.

What I `claim is 1. A swivel comprisinga tubular member adapted to be connected to a source of duid supply, a tubular member adapted to support ""a' load rotatably connected to said iir'st mentioned member by means of a plurality of pairs' of coacting roller races, one member of each pair of races bein secured to one of said tubular members an the othermember fof each pair of races being secured to the other tubular member to provide alternate connections to said tubular members in seriatim, and rollers disosed between the members of each pair o races whereby to provide multiple sets of roller bearings,all acting together for resisting relative longitudinal movement Lof said tubular members 2. A swivel comprising a tubular member adapted to be connected to a source of fluid supply,`a tubular member adapted to support a load rotatably connected to said first mentioned member by means of a plurality of pairs of` enacting roller races, one member of each pair of races being threadedly secured to one of said tubular members to provide for longitudinal adjustment thereon,the other member of each of said pairs of races being secured to the other tubular member to provide alternate connections to said tubular members in seriatim, and rollers disposed between the members of each pair of racesl whereby to provide multiple sets of roller bearings, all acting together for resist-ing relative longitudinal movement of said tubular members. t,

35A swivel comprising a tubular member adapted to be connected to a source of uid supplyba tubular member adapted to support a load rotatably connected to said first mentioned member by means of a plurality of pairs of coacting roller races, one member ci each pair of races being secured to one `onf said tubular members, a head secured to the'- other of said tubular members at one end of the races, rods extending from said head and embracing said races, the other members of said pairs of -races being mounted on said rods and supported thereon against longitudinal movement, and rollers between the members of the pairs of races whereby to provide multiple sets of roller bearings, all resisting relative longitudinal movement of said tubular members.

' 4. A swivel comprising a tubular member adapted to be connected to a source of Huid supply, a tubular member adapted to support a load rotatably connected to said first mentioned member by means of a' plurality or pairs of coacting roller races, one member of each` pair of races being threadedly secured to one of said tubular members to provide for longitudinal adfustment thereon, a head secured tothe other of said tubular members at one end of the races, rods extending from said head and embracin members of said pairs oraces being mounted on said rods and supported thereon against longitudinal movement, and rollers between Kthe members of the pairs o races whereby ljustment thereon, rods extending vfrom said head and'embracing saidraces,spacing sleeves mounted on said rods and interposed between the other members ofpsaid pairs of races to support the latter thereon, and rollers between the members of said pairs of races whereby to provide multiple sets of roller bearings, all resisting relative longitudinal movement of said tubular members.

6. A swivel comprising a tubular member adapted to be connected to a source of fluid supply, a-tubular member adapted to support a load rotatably connected to said rst mentioned member by means of a plurality of pairs of coacting roller races, one member of each pair of races being threadedly secured to one of said tubular members to procvide for longitudinal adjustment thereon, a

l.and interposed between the other members of'said 'pairs ofraces to support the latter thereon, and rollers'b'etween the members of said pairs of races whereby to provide multiple sets of roller bearings, all resisting rela# said races, the other ICO tive longitudinal movement of said tubular members. i j

7. A swivel comprising a tubular member adapted to be connected to a source of fluid supply, a tubular member adapted to support a load rotatably connected to said first mentioned member by means of a plurality of pairs of coacting roller races, each pair of races being secured to one of said tubular members, a head threadedly secured to the other of said tubular members at one end of the races for longitudinal adjustment thereon, rods extending from said head and connected thereto for longitudinal adjustment, spacing sleeves' mounted on said rods and interposed between the other members of said pairs of races to support the latter thereon, and rollers between the members of said pairs of races whereby to provide multiple sets of roller bearings, all resisting relative longitudinal movement of said tubular members. i

8. A swivel comprising a tubular member adapted to be connected to a'source of fluid supply, a tubular member adapted to support a load rotatably connected :to said first mentioned member by means of a plurality of pairs of coacting roller races, one member of each pair of races lbeing threadedly secured to one of said tubular members to provide for longitudinal adjustment thereon, a head threadedly secured to the other of said tubular members at one end of the races for longitudinal adjustment thereon, rods extending from said head and connected thereto for longitudinal adjustment, spacing sleeves mounted on said rods and interposed between the other members of said pairs of races to support the latter thereon, and rollers between the members of said pairs 'of races whereby to provide multiple sets of roller bearings, all resisting relative longitudinal movement of said tubular members. f

9. A swivel comprising a tubular member adapted to be connected to a source of fluid supply, a tubular member adapted to support a load rotatably connected to said first mentioned member by means of a plurality of pairs of coacting roller races, one member 'of each pair of races being secured to ne of said tubular members, a head secured to the other of said tubular members at one end of the races, rods extending from vsaid head and connected thereto for longitudinal adjustment, the other members of said pairs of races being mounted on said rods and supported thereon against longitudinal movement, and rollers between the members of the pairs of races whereby to provide multiple sets of roller bearings, all resisting relative longitudinal movement of sald tubular members.

10. A swivel comprising a tubular member adapted to be connected to a source of fluid supply, a tubular member adapted to one member of a load rotatably connected support a load rotatably connected to first mentioned member by means of a plurality of pairs of coacting roller races, one member.

of each pair of races being threadedly secured to one of said tubular members to provide for longitudinal a head secured to the other of said tubular members at one end of the races, rods extend'- ing from said head and connected thereto for longitudinal adjustment, the other members of said .pairs of races being mounted'on said rods and supported thereon against longitudinal movement, and rollers betweenthe members of the pairs of races whereby to. provide multiple sets of roller bearings, all resisting relative longitudinal movement of said tubular members.

11,. A swivel comprising a tubular meillber adapted tobe connected tov a source of fluid supply, a tubular member adapted to adjustment thereon,

support a load rotatably connected to first mentioned member by means of a stuffing box packing the joints between said members, a plurality of pairs of coacting roller races, one member of each pair of races being secured to one of said tubular members, a head secured to the other of said tubular members at one end of the races, rods extending from said head and embracing said races, the other members of said pairs of races being mounted on said rods and supported thereon against longitudinal movement, and rollers between the members of the pairs of races whereby to provide multiple sets of roller bearings, all resisting relative longitudinal movement of said tubular members and a casing for lubricants enclosing said bearings and said stuffing box.

l2. A swivel comprising a` tubular member adapted to be connected to a source of fluid sup'ply, a tubular member adapted to support a load `rotatably connected to first mentioned member by means of a stuffing box packing the joints between said members, a plurality of pairs of coacting roller races, one member of each' pair of' races being secured to one of said tubular members, a lhead threadedly secured to the other of said tubular members at one endof the races for longitudinal adjustment thereon, rods extending from ysaid head and embracing j spacing sleeves mounted on said rods interposed between the other members of said pairs of races to support the latter thereof,

rollers between the members of said pairs of races whereby to provide multiple sets of vroller bearings, all resisting ,relative longitudinal movement of said tubular members, and a casing for lubricants enclosing said bearin s and saidV stufling box.

13. swivel comprising a tubular member ada-pted to be connected to a source of fluid supply, a tubular member adapted to support to said first mentioned member by means of a stuffing box said races,

packing the joints between said members, a plurality of pairs of coacting roller races', one member of each pair of races being secured to one of said tubular members and the other member of each pair of races being secured to the other tubular member, rollers disposed between the members of each pair of races whereby to provide multiple groups of roller bearings, all resisting relative iongitudinal movement of said tubular members, a casing for lubricant secured to one of said tubular members and enclosing said bearings and stuling box, and a second stuifing box on said casingpacking the latter and the other tubular members.

14. A swivel comprising a tubular member adapted to be connected to a source of fluid supply, a tubular'member adapted to support a `load rotatably connected to said first mentioned member by means of a stuffing box packing the joints between said members, a plurality of pairs of coacting roller races, one mem er of each pair of races being secured to one of said tubular members, a head secured to the other of said tubular members at one end of the races, rods extendp ing from said head and embracing said races, the other members of said pairs of races being mounted on said rods and supported thereon against longitudinal movement, rollers between the members of the pairs of races whereby to provide multiple sets of roller bearings all resisting relative longitudinal movement of said tubular members, a

' casing for lubricant secured to said first mentioned member and enclosing said bearings and said stuffing box, and a second stuiing box on said casing packing the latter and the last mentioned tubular member.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 17th day of December, 1928.

' JAMES A. vWRAY'. 

